Winch Help

[SanitysBane]

Hey guys I don't have a 4X4 but I figured that y'all would probally know the answer to this one. I have a 1974 C20 that I am going to take off road (I will convert to 4X4 $ometime), the truck somewere around 5,000 pounds. I am completly ignorant about winches, all I know is that I am probally going to need one and don't feel like taking the chance. What brand, model, size, etc. of winch do I need?

[trkklr77]

first rule of thumb is get a winch rated at least 1.5x your vehicles weight.

you only need a 8k, but dont be a cheap ass. stay away from mile marker, the warn 8000m, cummings winch, tmax, and champion, these are all exactly the same winch and are very very prone to breaking. the main reason they do break is how they mount, all the bolts go down and you are pulling sideways on them and wind up tearing the winch in half.

ALLWAYS MOUNT YOUR WINCH SO THE CABLE IS PULLING INTO THE BOLTS if it means you have to mount it sideway do it.


the best thing to start with is a warn 8274/8274-50, they are rated at 8k but are a much much better design and will last forever, mine is a '78.

[Southedisto]

I have m8000 warn, and have had zero problems with it. I rotated my engage/freespool lever about 30degrees, and mounted it with the mount bolts fwd. I have mine on a toyota, and have winched several fullsize rigs with it. For the money, you cant be the m8000 IMO.

[special-K]

There`s always welding.8,000# 0r better for a full-size.The reason is,you need to factor in rolling resistance with your weight,which can actually be doubled.I,personally,would go 10-12Gs.Ramsey is the best winch made that is commonly available.Warn is most common and is a good stable brand as well.Koenig is great,but not abundant for service consideration.If you use it much,you`ll need to service it.

[SanitysBane]

well for right now (very very limited funds), I think Ill just throw a come-along in the toolbox and hope for the best. ALready got a winch fund started so far I have $ 0.25 in it. Thanks a ton for the help guys.

[trkklr77]

if youre going to have to be cheap about it at least buy a hi-lift, they are more than just a jack. come alongs dont last to long against heavy rigs.

[Southedisto]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

if youre going to have to be cheap about it at least buy a hi-lift, they are more than just a jack. come alongs dont last to long against heavy rigs.

X2, go with the 60" all cast. Its worth the extra 5$.

[Tance]

I currently have a Warn that I purchased in 1990 and have used on half a dozen different vehicles. It's so old the instruction plate is faded but it still works great. So my point is, money well spent.

I've also gotten out of the worst mud mire I've ever been in with a come-along. You can do anything with effort and ingenuity. Deciding on a winch just depends on how much you're going to use it and what you're using it for. But whether you go with a come-along or an electric winch, a snatch block is a very handy (and relatively cheap) accessory.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by SanitysBane

well for right now (very very limited funds), I think Ill just throw a come-along in the toolbox and hope for the best. ALready got a winch fund started so far I have $ 0.25 in it. Thanks a ton for the help guys.

If you can swing the cash, they make 4K lb rated come-along's to, money well spent IMO.

Yeah, the high lift is a no brainer for certain.

[SanitysBane]

Was looking at the Superlift website...the 12 inch lift is very very tempting...